Trump Cuts South Korea Drills

President Donald Trump said he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to “substantially reduce” planned U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises that were slated to begin this week, saying it was too late to cancel them. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the drills were costly and sent an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un. He also criticized South Korea for declining to join U.S. efforts to denuclearize Iran. The exercises are part of regular allied drills intended to maintain readiness against North Korean threats.